U.S. Department of Education to rule on releasing UMass Dartmouth records of bombing suspect, friends

The U.S. Department of Education could make a decision this week whether officials from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth can release information on the four student suspects linked to the Boston Marathon bombing, according to Jim Bradshaw, spokesman for the federal education department.

The U.S. Department of Education could make a decision this week whether officials from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth can release information on the four student suspects linked to the Boston Marathon bombing, according to Jim Bradshaw, spokesman for the federal education department.

UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman has declined to release information regarding the students, citing federal law that prohibits the release of student records to the public without student consent.

Last week, university officials reported they are asking for federal education officials’ guidance on how to legally release student records.